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Indonesia's Joko Widodo sworn in as president

Mon, Oct 20, 2014 - 12:57 PM

Former Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo was sworn in as Indonesia's seventh president at a ceremony in parliament on Monday, becoming the country's first leader not from the political or military elite - PHOTO: REUTERS

[Jakarta] Former Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo was sworn in as Indonesia's seventh president at a ceremony in parliament on Monday, becoming the country's first leader not from the political or military elite.

"I swear by Allah to fulfil the duties of president of the Republic of Indonesia to the best of my capabilities and in the fairest way possible," Mr Widodo said, reading the oath of office.

Mr Widodo, whose term is for five years, faces huge challenges to boost sagging growth, cut an unsettlingly large current account deficit that is weighing on the currency and meet pledges to improve the lot of Indonesia's 240 million people. REUTERS